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    rdtour's Avatar
    rdtour Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jan 31, 2010, 03:49 PM
    Afci new install trips
    I'm at the end of my rough in installation for finishing my basement. Added a total of 5 circuits. One of them being the bedroom AFCI. The AFCI trips. So my limited troubleshooting is this:

    1. Reset breaker. Soon as I flip the light switch. AFCI trips. Now I have 4 fixtures total in the bedroom (2 cans, 1 pendant, 1 closet light) Only the cans are wired in the pendants are just left pig tailed and hanging out (put wire nuts on the ends).

    Eliminated switch that seemed to activate breaker.
    2. Turned on the breaker. Checked to make sure power was getting to the outlets. Yes (soon as I activate my drill (plugged in to test the circuit) the AFCI trips.

    3. End of my troubleshooting skills.

    Question, what does "cannot share nuetral" mean?

    My wiring goes like this. Breaker to lightswitch box. Power to continue to 1st plug. 1st plug to closet light switch. Power to pass through/continue from Closet Light switch box to 3 other power plugs.

    Regards,
    Ryan
    rdtour's Avatar
    rdtour Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #2

    Jan 31, 2010, 09:01 PM

    Never mind, close this thread. Got her figured out. I would not wish troubleshooting AFCI circuits on my worst enemy.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #3

    Feb 1, 2010, 05:53 AM
    Amen...

    Quote Originally Posted by rdtour View Post
    I would not wish troubleshooting AFCI circuits on my worst enemy.
    What did you find causing the problem?

    Your input may help others.
    rdtour's Avatar
    rdtour Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Feb 1, 2010, 01:04 PM

    I guess I'll post my embarrassment. Ok, long story short. Had the wrong nuetral wire going into the AFCI breaker. You see, I originally grounded the nuetral (not thinking). Added 5 other breakers. Went back found my mistake. Traced back to what I thought was the correct nuetral but alas no. Double checked it, found the correct one, now everything works. Stoopid me.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #5

    Feb 1, 2010, 01:59 PM
    Thank you for the feedback. Many will learn from your lesson to be careful, and double check, when connecting wires.

    Don't be embarrassed. Even pros make mistakes like that.

    We all know don't connect black to white, but we still do that too sometimes.

    Excellent example of one of many problems that can cause issues.

    We answering questions enjoy answers too.

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